Guidance on "At Risk" definition
In a cemetery or burial ground there is a memorial/grave whose character, location or its historical associations adds to the ambiance of the cemetery. There may be several reasons as to why it is at risk and the local cemetery group [Friends] may be aware of local policies and may well have criteria to add to this suggested list:
[1] A local authority that uses technical means of testing of such excessive force that resulting destruction is more or less inevitable and sees the laying down of headstones [i.e so destroying the character of the cemetery] as its only option.
[2] A memorial undergoing movement causing either cracks or has the potential to collapse. The movement could be attributed among other reasons to natural ground changes, unstable foundations, corroded dowels, the removal of supportive structures e.g kerbs, flooding, and vandalism or consequential damage [e.g. maintenance machinery such as grass cutters or chain saws][3] A memorial prone to vandalism on account of political or other forms [e.g anti war] protests, anti-Semitism etc which could be reduced or prevented if say adjoining fencing or a gate could be installed or repaired to deter intruders.
[4] A memorial where parts have become weakened or damaged and if that part is not repaired, water, frost or acidic rain etc will accelerate the decline of the memorial as a whole. Additionally where parts of the memorial has been damaged such as the hand of an angel or figure.
[5] Where within a cemetery a path has been re-routed or widened which could adversely affect the foundations of a grave or a memorial. On a larger scale the re-use of the cemetery [or parts of the cemetery] for other social purposes e.g to be turned into a park, a children's play area or a car park or a 'major' proposal to route a road, railway etc through the cemetery.
[6] 'Officially' approved [i.e for contractors, cemetery maintenance staff and cemetery users] and unapproved dumping of waste on a grave or adjacent area. Exceptions to this would be temporary residual of soil removed through grave digging or of materials being used to restore graves for short reasonable periods of time. The regular dumping of unauthorised rubbish [known as fly tipping] in respect of which the enforcement or cemetery authority does not take immediate action could well cause a memorial beneath or adjacent to these deposits to be at risk.
[7] Damage by rats, squirrels, magpies, seagulls, pigeons etc and remedial action such as closing up a seam, kerb or entrance on the grave could prevent this re-occurring.
[8] Poorly executed repairs including the wrong kind of mortar etc which are now contributing to the accelerated decline of the grave.
[9] Storm damage including trees which is now causing difficulties in access and maintenance or trees that have fallen or are about to fall on memorials
[10] A tomb or a mausoleum etc being used as a venue for derelicts, drug takers etc or being targeted for graffiti or other anti-social behaviour.
[11] Saplings, knotweed, bramble breaking up stonework or preventing reasonable access to the memorial.
[12] The grave is listed as grade 11 or grade 11* [grade B in Scotland] and is in need of repair.
courtesy eduardo@morguefile.com
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